Erin Wright Writing

Writing-Related Software Tutorials

How to Disable Copilot in Microsoft Word (and Remove from Ribbon)

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The Copilot AI tool was recently integrated into the subscription versions of Microsoft Word (Word for Microsoft 365) and other Office applications. This tutorial shows how to disable Copilot in Microsoft Word for the PC. We will also look at how to remove the Copilot button from the ribbon.

Are you on a Mac? Please see “How to Disable Copilot in Word for Mac (and Remove from Ribbon).”

Table of Contents:

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Important Notes:

  • These steps turn off Copilot, but they don’t remove it from your software.
  • Currently, these steps only apply to the most recent builds of Word for Microsoft 365 Personal and Family subscriptions. However, Microsoft plans to expand availability to other Word builds, as well as Excel and PowerPoint, in the near future.

How to Disable Copilot in Microsoft Word

  1. Ensure you are signed into your Microsoft 365 account.
  2. Select the File tab.
File tab in Word 365
Figure 1. File tab
  1. Select More in the Backstage view.
  2. Select Options from the submenu. (Some users may see Options as a main tab instead of in the More submenu.)
Options in the More submenu in the Backstage view in Word 365
Figure 2. Options
  1. Select Copilot in the Word Options dialog box.
  2. Uncheck Enable Copilot.
  3. Select the OK button.
Enable Copilot option in the Word Options dialog in Word 365
Figure 3. Enable Copilot option

The Copilot button should now be grayed out in your Home tab, which indicates that it has been disabled.

If Copilot isn’t immediately disabled, you may need to exit and then restart Word to enact the change.

How to Remove Copilot from the Ribbon

By default, the Copilot and Editor buttons are grouped together in the Home tab in the ribbon (toolbar). Currently, there is no way to remove one without the other. Therefore, we will look at how to return the Editor button to the Home tab after removing the Copilot button.

Important Note: The Editor button is also available in the Review tab. Changes to the button in the Home tab won’t affect the Review tab.
  1. Right-click an empty area of the ribbon and then select Customize the Ribbon from the shortcut menu.
Customize the Ribbon option in Word 365
Figure 4. Customize the Ribbon option
  1. Select the Assistance group under Home in the Customize the Ribbon menu.
  2. Select the Remove button.
Assistance group and Remove button in the Word Options dialog box in Word 365
Figure 5. Assistance group and Remove button
  1. Select the OK button.
OK button in the Word Options dialog box in Word 365
Figure 6. OK button

The Copilot button and Editor button should be removed from the Home tab.

How to Add the Editor Button Back to the Home Tab

  1. Right-click an empty area of the ribbon and then select Customize the Ribbon from the shortcut menu (see figure 4).
  2. Select Home in the Customize the Ribbon menu.
  3. Select the New Group button.
New Group button in the Word Options dialog box in Word 365
Figure 7. Home tab and New Group button
  1. Select the Rename button.
  2. Enter a name such as “Editor” into the Rename dialog box.
  3. Select the OK button.
Rename button in the Word Options dialog box with Rename dialog box in Word 365
Figure 8. Rename button and Rename dialog box
  1. Select All Commands in the Choose commands from menu.
  2. Select Editor in the All Commands menu.
  3. Select the Add button.
  4. Select the OK button.
Add Command button in the Word Options dialog box in Word 365
Figure 9. Add button, Choose commands from menu, Editor group, and OK button

The Editor button should now return to the Home tab. Although the button may now be labeled as “Check Document” instead of “Editor,” it is still the Editor button.

Please see “How to Customize the Ribbon in Microsoft Word” for more information about making the ribbon work for you—and returning it to the default settings when necessary.

Related Resources

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